Mozelle Curtis

1930 - 2022

Mozelle (Wilson) Curtis

August 22, 1930 - August 10, 2022

Mozelle (Wilson) Curtis was born in Wheeler Texas on August 22, 1930 and passed into the loving arms of Jesus in Hanford, California on August 10, 2022 with her family by her side. She was 91 years old and just 12 days shy of her 92nd birthday. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of 69 years, Bill Curtis and also her parents Winnie Wilson and Milton (Mitt) Wilson of Texas. She is survived by her son Gary Curtis and his wife Joyce of Hanford, CA, her daughter Deborah Smythe and her husband Dan of Lynden, WA. She is also survived by grandchildren Danette Curtis of Hanford, CA, Denise Lahiji and husband Arad of Torrance, CA, Shannon Smythe and husband Kevin Subers of Pennsylvania, Samuel Smythe and wife Brieanna of Gunnison, Colorado, and step-granddaughter Alexa Arnold and husband Josiah of Clovis. CA. Great grandchildren Micah Subers, Evan Smythe, Julian Silva, Alex Silva, Ian Silva and Ella Arnold.

Mozelle, was the sixth child out of seven children born to Texas farmers and cattle ranchers. She grew up in the rural Texas Panhandle on the family farm and did her share of the daily chores as required of the children. In high school, Mozelle was involved in school activities along with sports and she played on the girls basketball team. After graduating from high school, she attended Abilene Christian College for one semester. She enjoyed school because it made her feel free. At the semester break, she went to visit her brother Dale and his wife Margaret, in Silver City, New Mexico. While there she happened to meet this handsome guy named Bill Curtis. He was, in her eyes "Mr. Right".

Bill and Mozelle were married in Silver City, New Mexico on October 30, 1949. Bill's work took them from Silver City, New Mexico, to Winslow, Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, Alamogordo, New Mexico, and ultimately to Southern California, where they laid down some more permanent roots. Along the way, they had their two children and while Bill was busy working in the Aerospace Industry, Mozelle stayed at home raising their children and volunteering her time at church and at the school where their children attended. Her volunteerism became more like a job as she rose to the position of Parent-Teachers Association President. She headed up numerous fund raising projects that helped with many educational benefits for the students and school school. She received awards locally and at the State level for her selfless efforts.

After the kids were gone from the house, Mozelle worked in the retail industry at local Department stores, Buffums and Bullocks in the Fine China, Crystal, and Silverware departments. She had always been very keen on the latest dining wares and her customers would come in specifically requesting her for their formal dining needs. She loved every minute of it along with the people she worked with.

After Bill retired, they moved to Hanford to be close to their son and his family. Once here, they poured themselves into the work of the Hanford Church of Christ as they became their church family. Mozelle volunteered in many capacities, but most memorable for her was volunteering her time at Valley Christian Home. She enjoyed working in the beauty salon helping out with manicures, pedicures, and hair grooming for the senior citizens there. Mozelle and Bill both were also very active as members of the Kings Art Center. They loved helping support and promote the Arts here in this area.

In later years Mozelle became the care giver for the love of her life, Bill. She enlisted the help of her granddaughter, Danette as caring for Bill became too much for her. This became a labor of love for all of them. Danette loved being with them as much or more than they loved having her there. Danette was with them to the very end of these two beautiful lives and the rest of us are richer for having known them and having been loved by them.

As we celebrate Mozelle's life, we know this is not the end of her story as some in the world would say. This is the beginning of a new chapter in an eternal story that goes on forever. Her love lives on in us! Thank you Lord, for putting her in our lives!

There will be a memorial service on September 28, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at the Hanford Church of Christ, at 12th and Grangeville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Mozelle's honor be made to Valley Christian Home 511 E. Malone St. Hanford, CA 93230 or to the Kings Art Center 605 N. Douty St. Hanford, CA 93230. Arrangements made by Peoples Funeral Chapel.